A primary preventive coronary health survey among a finnish immigrant population in Sweden

• Primary prevention strategies aimed at immigrants are insufficiently documented in primary health care services and, in Sweden, this is especially true regarding coronary health care with a gender perspective. The aim of this study was to examine the coronary health condition among a Finnish immigrant population in Sweden in terms of gender differences. Immigrated Finns (256 men and women aged 25-64) belonging to one primary health care centre were invited to participate in a coronary health survey. The instruments used, comprising a well-established self-rated questionnaire as well as tests forming a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk index, were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings show that 23% were at high risk; more men than women (P<0.015). Men indicated more problems in food (e.g. fibre intake P<0.012) and drink (e.g. alcohol use P<0.000) habits while women indicated more psychosocial problems (e.g. psychosocial strain P<0.020). Furthermore, male and female Finnish immigrants are at least at an equal risk of CHD compared to their Swedish and Finnish counterparts, due to a high smoking rate (42% and 43%). Both genders show higher body mass index and waist-hip ratio figures compared to Swedish people on average. Establishing permanent connections with immigrant organizations and finding key persons anchored both among the immigrants and in the primary health care are important tasks in order to reach compliance in coronary health care. An important research implication would be to implement a primary prevention clinical trial based partly on the general findings of risk indicators and partly on gender differences among the risk indicators with regard to language obstacles.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Coronary health survey

Finnish immigrants

Sweden

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Nursing

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